Is there room for Orakpo and Rob Jackson?

[Hog1]

I think Has will have a good time figuring it out........

[CultBrennan59]

I'm glad you brought this up into a thread, because I was thinking this the other day when he picked off Romo (see Dallas Postgame thread)

Rob Jackson right now is showing that he's a starter somewhere. Here? I don't know.

But I'll repeat what I said in that post. Being an OLB in the 3-4 is about sacks/pressure first and foremost. Rob Jackson doesn't get the consistent pressure that Orakpo can get on the QB. Just keep in mind how much time we've let opposing QBs (Dalton, Big Ben, Eli, to name a few) have in the pocket to throw. Also keep in mind Rob Jackson went a good 4 games without being named or noticed. He just recently got going making smart picks (something Orakpo can't do) and getting occasional sacks.

Right now, the NFL Free Agency Market of OLBs are:

1. Shaun Phillips
2. Connor Barwin
3. Anthony Spencer
4. Rob Jackson

(as for 4-3 DEs who could be 3-4 OLBs)
Dwight Freeney
Cliff Avril
Osi Umenyiora
Michael Johnson

The point is, there are some other pass rusher names out there this year to make Robs potential deal high salary, but also guys that can go to other teams since they are all starters and proven.

I'll leave with this; When Orakpo went out everyone here panicked. Rob Jackson hasn't made me forget about Orakpo--he's been good, but hasn't been Orakpo pro bowl caliber great. If Rob Jackson leaves, I won't panic, but I'd love to have him back as GREAT depth.

[12thMan]

I think Osi and Freeney will be elsewhere next season.

[Ruhskins]

Nothing wrong with having a starter and a really good back up. As Matty said, I don't think Jackson has played himself into a starter position here, Orakpo is clearly the better player. I think our team will be in a better position if we have both player on the roster.

[Lotus]

Our pass rush has been noticeably less since we lost Rak. As great as Rob Jackson is off of the bench, he is no real substitute as a full-time starter. I say we keep him for depth if we can.

[Meks]

IMO, I hope he stays and they both see significant playing time next year. I want to see Orakpo return to form ... if not, hello Jackson in a bigger role than Rak. Point blank.

[CRedskinsRule]

Why, when we have solid depth, does the question become "Do we need xxx?" Granted there are salary cap concerns, and if Jackson pushes for an unworkable deal, we may have to let him go, but within the constraints that are the modern salary cap, we should keep both of them, and be glad that we are producing solid talent, with good attitudes.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Why, when we have solid depth, does the question become "Do we need xxx?" Granted there are salary cap concerns, and if Jackson pushes for an unworkable deal, we may have to let him go, but within the constraints that are the modern salary cap, we should keep both of them, and be glad that we are producing solid talent, with good attitudes.

^^^ For the win.

Clearly, given your otherwise dullard-like responses, you are related to someone of brilliance for your genetic make-up to allow for such moments of clarity.

[SmootSmack]

What about Lorenzo? Do you keep him too?

[firstdown]

Orakpo has not been the same sense he did those bad Geico comercials.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What about Lorenzo? Do you keep him too?

Lorenzo goes no where.

[Meks]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What about Lorenzo? Do you keep him too?

Yes. All around team guy and very versatile... someone mentioned Jackson being like a Mike Vrabel type i think earlier in the thread... but i think 'Zo is more comparable and i think it's essential we keep him. For ST's and depth. He's a redskin as long as we keep him around.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

You can't just say the defense has raised it's game in vacuum. Rob Jackson is a big part of that reason. You can't dismiss that. And when Orakpo was starting the Redskins were abysmal in the turnover category.

Are we conflating better athlete with better football player?

Are we basing this on the 1 1/3 games that we actually saw Orakpo on the field this season? If so, I have to point out how small of a sample size that is. If not, I feel like it's a little ridiculous to compare any other year to this one given the way winning seems to have inspired this team; the defense in particular.

I think this team really needs to keep as much talent as it possibly can on the defensive side of the ball, particularly when you consider how bad they were to start the season. Having depth should be a luxury. I'm glad Jackson stepped in and made some plays, but I don't think he's better than Brian Orakpo and I wouldn't cut or trade Orakpo in order to keep him. Also, I think creating a hole behind Jackson is a bad idea. I like Wilson and Alexander as situational players, but I think banking on Jackson and thinking he'll never get hurt would be a mistake. For me, if you get rid of Orakpo, you also need a new guy to back up Jackson.

As happy as I've been with Jackson's impact, which surprised me, I still think Orakpo comes back and is the starter on this defense. If the front office decides Jackson is the better player, I'll be very surprised.

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What about Lorenzo? Do you keep him too?

Of course, he is a pro bowler and he is great at what he does on special teams.

He can back up the other OLB (Rob Jackson backs up one, he backs up the other)

[los panda]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What about Lorenzo? Do you keep him too?

no room for him please know that i am kidding